10 Toxic Stimulants You Need to Worry About

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a stimulant is a drug that causes the body to increase energy, attention, and alertness. Unfortunately, most of the substances that do that are both toxic and addictive. These substances cause long term damage to the people that over use them. Many of these substances are commonly available.

1. Caffeine

Caffeine is something that most of the United States is addicted to in one form or another. Many of these people spend their lives perfectly fine. Unfortunately, the overuse of caffeine or the combination of caffeine and alcohol causes caffeine intoxication and eventual convulsions or death.

2. Taurine

Taurine is a naturally occurring substance in many foods and drinks. It is an amino acid that the body needs to function. Unfortunately, in high concentrations it is a stimulant. Most people who ingest large amounts of taurine wind up with congestive heart failure.

3. Guarana Seed

Guarana seed is a small berry that contains a large amount of caffeine. In small amounts this seed is safe but in large quantities it is toxic to humans. Just like caffeine, it produces cardiac issues and other complications. This is part of what makes energy drinks containing it dangerous in large amounts.

4. Ephedrine

Ephedrine is a nervous system stimulant. It is extremely addictive and very dangerous in large doses. Its plant form ephedra was pulled from the market. The side effects of ephedrine are insomnia, seizures, anxiety, tremors, and other more severe complications. In many cases it is possible to overdose on ephedrine. Ephedrine is also used to make more powerful stimulants.

5. Nicotine

Millions of cigarette and e-cigarette smokers will attest to nicotine is highly addictive. It the long term it causes cardiovascular illnesses leading to amputation, a variety of cancers, and a number of other issues. Many people do not realize that nicotine is a stimulant and it is possible to overdose on nicotine.

6. Amphetamines

Amphetamines are illegal stimulants that are highly addictive. Many people who use them wind up with severe cardiovascular problems not to mention intense withdrawal symptoms when attempting to get off the drug. Amphetamines can cause heart and respiratory failure.

7. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive, aggressive, illegal drug. Methamphetamine causes heart and respiratory failure, tooth decay, severe weight loss among other things. Most of the people who become addicted to meth lose everything very quickly. It is a devastating drug.

8. Cocaine

Cocaine is one of the most widely known toxic stimulants. When taken in any quantity it can cause heart failure, respiratory failure, and permanent damage to the nervous system.

9. Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a more intense form of cocaine. In this form it is even more addictive than its powdered cousin and can cause the same symptoms only faster. It is more devastating than traditional cocaine to the user.

10. MDMA

MDMA is a newer stimulant that is known by the street names ecstasy or molly. This stimulant is on the border between a stimulant and a psychedelic. MDMA can cause the same respiratory and cardiac distress as well as severe central nervous system complications.

Harmful Side Effects of Stimulants

How to Find Treatment for Addiction to any of these Toxic Stimulants

You can find treatment for stimulant addiction by calling 800-605-6597 Who Answers?. We can help you find the treatment center that you need to kick your addiction to stimulants.